"A dog is for life not just Christmas"  

(The Dog Trust) 

I rescued a human today. Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she would not be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from the accident I had in the back of my cage. I did not want her to know that I had not been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I did not want her to think poorly of them. As she read my kennel card I hoped that she would not feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little “kissy” sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped in to her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one. I rescued a human today.

Rescue dogs may end up in the Rescue centre because of divorce, death, a drastic family move or abuse. He can also have been found wandering the streets or the fields and not been claimed.  Sadly all too often, adopted dogs are returned to Rescue centres because they just have not been shown how to learn how to control their behaviour.  That was the case with Gus before he found Dan and Julia he went back to the "Croix Bleue" 3 times...   

But when the right home finds the right dog, there is happiness and harmony.

REMEMBER to think dog - and allow the dog to settle in his new home - it will take as long as it takes ... 1 week, 3 weeks..  3 months... it does not matter what does matter is that you do not go "human" on him and allow him to find his feet at his own pace!  Under no circumstances should you force him to do anything ... Give him the space and the time he needs...

Rescue dogs are dogs that should have been granted the affection and respect that other dogs have, but have been denied.  So if you have a rescue dog or are thinking of offering a home to one then Canine Conversation can help. It gives you the means to create a settled environment for your dog, in which he/she will be understood and can therefore start to live a happy and relaxed life.

Rescue dogs need time, structure and patience.  We are not programming a video recorder we are asking the dogs to make adjustments, they are not mind readers, they need to be shown how to control their own behaviour and how to become a happy and relaxed dog... it follows that some will take longer than others. To begin with keep his world small, make minimal demands - less is more ... until such time as he starts to relax in your presence.  

Make sure you observe your dog (he will be obesrving your evey move), read and respect the calming signals he will be giving you (and being a rescue there will probably be more than other dogs).

So if you are thinking of taking your first step towards having a rescue dog ... you need to make sure he or she does not feel you need looking after. 

If you would like to know more about the method I teach, I suggest you contact me whether for an informal chat or to ask for a workshop here or so that you are prepared for and understand how to communicate with your new companion from the start.

If you have already have a rescue dog it is "never" too late to start using this method. Maybe you are feeling that things are not quite as you expected them to be. Your dog is asking questions and you feel you haven't got the right answers or your dog is displaying behaviour you do not understand, contact me as I can help you to help you and your dog.  Below Lucie who was with us for the last +/- 2 years of her life.